On Christmas Day, Pope Leo XIV addressed 26,000 people from the loggia overlooking St. Peter’s Square, urging the faithful to abandon indifference toward those who have lost everything. The papal “Urbi et Orbi” message, delivered amid a steady downpour, called for humility, responsibility, and solidarity with the weak and oppressed. The pope’s message also revived a tradition of multilingual greetings that had been absent under his predecessor. In the midst of the rain, the pope’s warm cheers in English and Spanish resonated with the crowd.
The Christmas Mass
Earlier that day, Leo led the Christmas Day Mass from the central altar beneath the balustrade of St. Peter’s Basilica. The altar was adorned with floral garlands and clusters of red poinsettias, while white flowers surrounded the statue of Mary at the altar’s base. The basilica filled with thousands of attendees, many holding smartphones to capture the opening procession. The Mass set the tone for the pope’s subsequent address.
The Urbi et Orbi Address
After the Mass, the rain subsided as the pope took a brief tour of the square in the popemobile before speaking from the loggia. He addressed the crowd in his native English and Spanish, languages that hold special significance for him as a former missionary and archbishop in Peru. The crowd responded with cheers, including a shout of “Viva il papa!” or “Long live the pope!” as the pope retreated into the basilica. He concluded the address by taking off his glasses for a final wave.
A Call for Global Peace
During the address, Leo emphasized that everyone could contribute to peace by acting with humility and responsibility. He said, “If he would truly enter into the suffering of others and stand in solidarity with the weak and the oppressed, then the world would change,” the pope said. He called for “justice, peace and stability” in Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Syria, and prayers for “the tormented people of Ukraine.” He also urged peace and consolation for victims of wars, injustice, political instability, religious persecution and terrorism, naming Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and Congo.
The pope urged dialogue to address “numerous challenges” in Latin America, reconciliation in Myanmar, the restoration of “the ancient friendship between Thailand and Cambodia,” and assistance for those hit by natural disasters in South Asia and Oceania. He remembered those who have lost their jobs or are seeking work, especially young people, underpaid workers and those in prison. The message underscored the importance of listening and shared humanity.
Dialogue as Path to Peace
In his homily, Leo underlined that peace can emerge only through dialogue. He said, “There will be peace when our monologues are interrupted and, enriched by listening, we fall to our knees before the humanity of the other,” he said. He recalled the people of Gaza, “exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold,” and the fragility of “defenseless populations, tried by so many wars.” He also spoke of “young people forced to take up arms, who on the front lines feel the senselessness of what is asked of them, and the falsehoods that fill the pompous speeches of those who send them to their deaths.”
Closing Reflections
Thousands packed the basilica for the pope’s first Christmas Day Mass, holding smartphones to capture images of the opening procession. The Christmas season also marks the winding down of the Holy Year celebrations, which will close on Jan. 6, the Catholic Epiphany holiday. The pope’s message, delivered on Christmas Day, serves as a reminder of the need for compassion, dialogue, and collective action in a world fraught with conflict and hardship. It invites believers and non-believers alike to look beyond indifference and work toward a more peaceful future.
Key Takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV urged global solidarity and humility in his Christmas message.
- He called for justice and peace in conflict zones such as Lebanon, Gaza, Ukraine, and several African nations.
- Dialogue and listening are essential for lasting peace, according to the pope’s homily.
As the Holy Year concludes, Pope Leo XIV’s Christmas address stands as a call to action, reminding the world that compassion and dialogue can transform suffering into hope.
